Psychology at University of California-Santa Cruz

UC Santa Cruz's psychology program graduates carry remarkably low debt—$18,902, which puts them in the 95th percentile nationally for affordability. That's nearly $7,000 below California's median for psychology programs and a third less than the national average. For parents worried about student loans, this is one of the most affordable paths to a psychology degree from a UC campus.

The earnings trajectory tells an interesting story. While first-year earnings of $30,730 look modest, they jump 57% to $48,247 by year four—well above what typical psychology majors earn at that point. Within California, this program ranks at the 60th percentile, meaning graduates out-earn those from most other state psychology programs, even if they start behind elite privates like Santa Clara or specialty schools. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 is manageable, especially considering how quickly earnings accelerate.

The major caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly. That said, the combination of UC Santa Cruz's solid reputation, minimal debt burden, and strong earnings growth makes this a reasonable choice for students committed to psychology—particularly if they're planning for graduate school or career paths where that four-year earnings jump matters more than immediate post-graduation salary.